Whether you're going for prize money or your dream job, there are plenty of similarities between a job interview and a "Jeopardy" appearance, according to contestant Amy Swanson King. Preparation and confidence are key, but competitors need to be ready to act in the moment and know they've gained something valuable even in defeat. The Seattle Times (tiered subscription model) (10/7) Can staffers' smartphones play a bigger role at work? A growing number of restaurants and retailers are encouraging employees to use their own smartphones at work to access training materials and scheduling apps that make it easier to pick up extra shifts, Tricia Contreras writes. About 57% of millennials said they'd rather use their own phones to access work-related apps, according to a WorkJam survey. SmartBrief/Food & Beverage (10/7)
Internet offers networking for introverts Networking events can be difficult for anyone who doesn't enjoy seeking out strangers to talk to, but activist and entrepreneur Jessica Li uses social media to excel at networking. Utilizing the internet, Li can connect with almost anyone in a more comfortable way and use that connection to move into a deeper relationship. Forbes (10/7)
Hire Smart
Where to look for new employees Businesses struggling to hire should consider incentives for referrals from current employees, business coaches Jack Mencini and Adam Sonnhalter suggest. They also recommend connecting with trade schools and high schools, automating tasks, or starting an internal training program. Crain's Cleveland Business (tiered subscription model) (10/5)
The Landscape
Companies add more to benefits packages Employers' focus on the well-being of their employees has improved in recent years, and now other parts of workers' lives are getting attention from human resources departments. Companies are now helping workers pay off student loans, giving benefits to parents for more than the birth of a child, and including more mental health assistance. Human Resource Executive (10/7)Survey: 62% of seniors who work cite finances as reason Sixty-two percent of Americans age 65 to 85 who still work said they do so for financial reasons, according to a survey by Provision Living. Among respondents still in the workforce, 44% said a mental or physical limitation has hindered them in their job, and 33% said they have experienced ageism. ThinkAdvisor (free registration) (10/4)
Balancing Yourself
How to handle stress like Elon Musk Not everyone has the same responsibilities or platform as entrepreneur Elon Musk, but we all deal with stress and can learn from how he handles it. Musk spends his time on projects he is passionate about, which he uses as fuel to keep him productive and moving forward. Business 2 Community (10/7)
A recent study found the speed with which people type on smartphones is catching up to the speed they type on a full-size keyboard, with one blazing-thumbs typist even reaching 85 words per minute on a smartphone. The gap in speed will probably continue to shrink as people use smartphones for more tasks. Futurity (10/7)
My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
Hank Aaron, professional baseball player, right fielder
